NAFCM Member Derek Pratt Takes Steps to End Homelessness

NAFCM Member Derek Pratt Takes Steps to End Homelessness

On Tuesday, June 26th, Derek Pratt left his home in Ohio for the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference in Washington D.C. However, instead of flying or driving, Derek decided to make his way to the nation's capitol on foot to raise awareness around issues of homelessness and housing instability. The conference begins on July 23rd. For the next month, Derek will be trekking across the country to spark and engage with a dialogue about the prevalence of homelessness and the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.

Derek writes on his website, "Having experienced homelessness as a youth, which led to me dropping out of school at the age of 15, I am making this walk for the children across our country who are facing homelessness. I stand with you, and walk for you! My goal is to visit as many homeless shelters along the path of my journey through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland as I can."

The money Derek raises during his cross-country walk will go to homeless shelters, programs, and services that benefit individuals experiencing homelessness and work to prevent housing instability.

You can follow Derek's journey from Ohio to D.C. on Facebook or on his website. He also has a GoFundMe site, where individuals can donate money in support of his mission to raise awareness about issues of homelessness and housing instability and to support ongoing efforts to counteract them.

NAFCM wishes Derek all the best during his walk across the country. We are proud to have passionate, dedicated, and innovative members like Derek with a distinct vision for how they can use their lives and work to change the world for the better.